Why Crate Train Your Doodle Dog!

When you first bring a new dog into the home, you may be looking into different ways to crate train your Doodle. But, you may be wondering if this is a necessary part of training for your dog, and what the benefits may be. We are going to explore why you should crate train your Doodle dog. You will be shocked by how important it is.

Prevents Destruction

Folding Metal Dog Crate

Anyone who crate trains their dog usually has one main goal in mind, to prevent the destruction of property when you are away. With any Doodle that you bring home, no matter the age will need to learn what are good playing habits and what are bad ones. Puppies will inevitably chew on furniture, shoes, or anything left out while you are away. Keeping them in a crate will prevent this from happening.
Also, you will want to keep this crate away from anything your puppy could reach and bring in to chew. With nothing around, your puppy will learn better ways of preoccupying his mind while you are away with safe toys. You will use this secure area until you are positive that your dog knows better than to chew out of boredom. Then you are free to let them roam the house while you are away.
All of these rules also apply to older Doodles that you have adopted. They might know the difference between right and wrong, but unfamiliar settings can make them nervous. Until your new dog has gotten a good grasp on your routine, it is best to crate train them as well.

Helps Potty Train

Another great reason to crate train your Doodle is that it can speed up the potty training process. To do this, you will need a crate that is just big enough to go in, turn around, and sit down. Any space that is bigger than this could lead to potty accidents in the corner. The reason this method works so well is that by instinct, dogs do not like to lay where they have gone to the bathroom. So with a smaller space, your dog is less likely to go.
Since some Doodle breeds grow quickly, we recommended getting a kennel with a divider in it. These crates are designed to expand with your dog and save you money in the long run.
But, it is also essential to keep your dog’s age in mind when crate training this way. Depending on the age of your dog, they may not be physically able to hold their bladder for a full 8-hour work shift. A great rule of thumb to go by is that your puppy can hold their bladder for every month of age.

Provides A Safe Place

Small Bread Dog Crate
Crate training your Doodle from a young age can provide a great safe place in case of emergencies. Crates are used as great tools in the events of natural disasters, evacuations, or to get away from something scary. If you wait to use the crate for the first time in these events, it could lead to more confusion and heartache for your Doodle.
When you use a crate early on, they will see their crate as a safe room. They know that nothing will get them while they are in there. It can also provide a safe place from loud noises, strangers in the house, thunderstorms, or noisy children. Your Doodle will see his crate as a haven.
But, to create this space as a haven, there are a few rules that you should follow. Never let anyone disrupt this safe space. Kids should not be allowed in, and your Doodle should be left alone while in their crate. The crate should also never be us a punishment. Once your Doodle associates punishment with a kennel, it breaks the illusion of a safe place.

Privacy

This leads me to the next topic of privacy. Since your Doodle will see his kennel as a room, it is also a space of solitude. Everyone has days where they do not want to be around people, and dogs are no different. If your Doodle sees his kennel as a place to go for privacy, it is best to respect those wishes.
When your Doodle is having an off day, they may want to relax in their kennel. And that is ok! That is what you want from your dog. A dog that does not feel like they have privacy can become anxious and can lash out. Their crate is the equivalent to you curling up with some coffee and a book to be alone. It is best to respect those wishes and make sure children understand that as well.

Safe Travel

Heavy Duty Doodle Dog Crate
Crate training can also provide safe travel for your Doodle. While there are devices that attach to seatbelts for your Doodle to use, they are not as reliable. Putting a crate in your car will not only give your dog a safe place to be in the event of a crash, but it also will make them feel more secure. Being in a space that they have deemed a safe place can calm them. Using a crate is especially useful if your dog has anxiety about being in the car.
Putting a crate in the car is excellent for road trips, to the vet, or even the groomer. They will start an already stressful visit with something that they view as comforting. But, make sure that you lookout for signs that this stresses your dog out more. Since every Doodle reacts differently to different situations, in some rare cases, this will have the opposite effect.
Always remember to respect your dog’s haven with as much respect as you expect in yours. Traveling with your Doodle shorter distances in the crate may be a bad idea if this makes your dog nervous about using the crate at home. Watch for behaviors that would indicate your dog is now afraid of the kennel, or they start avoiding it.
On any long road trip, we always recommended using the crate instead of a dog seat belt. The crate is more protective in accidents than a seatbelt when it is adequately secured. This might make your dog more nervous, but providing safe toys and comforting blankets will help.

Easier To Board And Groom

Another great reason to crate train your Doodle is that it will make any boarding and grooming situations easier. Most dogs that have never spent time in a crate have anxiety about any boarding facility or grooming. Since boarding facilities use a type of large crate, this could be comforting to a dog that is crate trained. They will not have separation anxieties and will not constantly bark like other dogs. Your dog will happily go to his kennel without a second thought since that is what he accustomed to.
Grooming can be challenging similarly. Most groomers use a crate with attached dryers to speed up the drying time of you Doodle’s thick coat. If your dog spends time in a crate, it can make the drying process safer for them and quicker. And trust us, your groomer will thank you! Your Doodle will be one of the most well-behaved dogs they have.

Can Reduce Anxiety

And finally, crate training your pup can reduce anxiety when you are away. Since this crate is a place where your dog will gladly go to escape the world and have alone time, it is also a place that is calming. When properly trained, a crate can reduce anxiety from storms, loud noises, and even separation anxiety.
Your dog knows that this crate is a place that will keep him safe. He knows he may get a special toy or treat to help the day pass by. Just remember that for this to work, the kennel has to be respected, not feared. You should never use the kennel as punishment and should never invade this space. The kennel needs to be kept away from all dangers and loud noises. Children and other pets should always be kept away from the crate as well.
If you follow all of these rules, you will notice a massive difference in your dog’s anxiety. Your dog will no longer howl when he is alone, and your bond will become stronger. These are all very important to have when you own a Doodle.

In Conclusion

As you can see, crate training your dog is a lot different than what people say. You might have depicted it as cruel or pointless, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Crate training your Doodle is just as important to you as it is your dog. When you crate train your Doodle dog, you create a safe home, powerful bond, and a special place for your dog. Just remember to train correctly and use positive reinforcement. We hope you liked our list on 7 Reasons Why You Should Crate Train Your Doodle Dog, and don’t forget to follow our page for more amazing articles.

Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!